Grades K - 5 Science Instruction Belief Statements We believe: Students should be aware that Science is a way of life – an exciting process of inquiry and discovery used to explore, discuss, and explain the world. (ILS Standards 11a,b; 13a,b) Students should understand the fundamental concepts, principles and interconnections of life, physical, and earth sciences as aligned to Illinois State Learning Standards. (ILS Standards 12, et. al.) Science should provide a cohesive continuum of instruction, as well as opportunities for in-depth study of unifying themes. (ILS Standards 11, 12, 13, et. al.) Science needs to be applied and related to students’ life and experiences. These relationships promote critical thinking, knowledge retrieval, and practical application. (ILS Standards 12, et al., 13b)

An elementary Science curriculum should help all students develop confidence to engage in independent thinking, and foster positive and ethical attitudes toward science and scientists. (ILS Standards 11, 13a,b) Science education should provide an opportunity for students to use higher-level critical and creative thinking skills for proposing and solving a problem. (ILS Standards 11, 12, 13) Science instruction should include exploration through varied learning modalities, which develop inquiry skills and the scientific method. (ILS Standards 11a,b; 13a) Science instruction should be developmentally appropriate and differentiated to meet the needs of all students’ learning styles. Materials to reach all learners should include text, hands-on activities and field trips, media and technology, as well as research and discussion. (ILS Standards 11, 12a) Science learning will be more effective if it is integrated with other areas of the curriculum. (ILS Standards 11a,b; 13b) In the use of appropriate assessments to measure student growth in scientific knowledge, understanding, and process skills. (ILS Standards 11, 12, 13) Students should be able to apply the appropriate principles of safety, identify materials and equipment, and follow appropriate procedural steps and safety precautions in inquiry and design investigations. (ILS Standards 11b; 13a,b) Science should be fun!